Strawberry plant named &#39;valor&#39;

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘VALOR’. This new strawberry plant named ‘VALOR’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its medium plant size; medium to large fruit; red to dark red fruit color; strong fruit skin firmness; medium to dark green foliage; good fruit flavor; medium sized foliage and short fruiting trusses.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Fragaria ananassa

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘VALOR’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘VALOR’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2001 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-1269’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686) and the unpatented strawberry breeding line designated ‘PS-3003’. It is unknown as to which strawberry parent is the seed parent and which strawberry parent is the pollen parent. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Ventura County, California in the fall of 2003. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in a nursery located in San Joaquin County, California. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in Ventura County, California. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘VALOR’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to produce a strong vigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the fall production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘VALOR’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

1. Medium plant size;

2. Medium to large fruit size;

3. Red to dark red fruit color;

4. Strong fruit skin firmness;

5. Medium to dark green foliage color;

6. Good fruit flavor;

7. Medium sized foliage; and

8. Short fruiting trusses.

The new strawberry variety ‘VALOR’ differs from the parental strawberry varieties ‘PS-1269’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686) and the unpatented strawberry breeding line ‘PS-3003’, by the following characteristics:

1. Type of bearing: ‘VALOR’ is everbearing while ‘PS-1269’ is partial everbearing and ‘PS-3003’ is everbearing;

2. Firmness of the skin: ‘VALOR’ is strong while ‘PS-1269’ is medium and ‘PS-3003’ is strong;

3. Fruit color: ‘VALOR’ is red to dark red while ‘PS-1269’ is red and ‘PS-3003’ is orange red to red; and

4. Plant vigor: ‘VALOR’ is medium while ‘PS-1269’ is medium to large and ‘PS-3003’ is medium.

The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘VALOR’ is ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597). In comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-2880’, the new strawberry variety ‘VALOR’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘VALOR’ (US PP 15,597) 1. Average fruit weight (gm) 23.3 20.7 2. Marketable yield (gm/plt) 566 457 3. Uneveness of fruit surface Weak Medium to strong 4. Insertion of achenes Level with to below the surface Above the surface 5. Attitude of calyx Spreading Spreading to reflexed 6. Firmness of the skin Strong Medium 7. Plant size Medium Medium to large 8. Average number of stolons Medium Few 9. Foliage color (upper surface) Medium to dark green Light to medium green 10. Interveinal leaf blistering Medium Medium to strong 11. Foliage size Medium Medium to large 12. Fruiting truss length (cm) 20.5 27.1

For identification a series of AFLP molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘VALOR’, at various stages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘VALOR’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘VALOR’ were taken in Ventura County, California, and are approximately 3 to 4 months old.

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘VALOR’ taken in the month of October 2007.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical leaf structure of ‘VALOR’ taken in the month of November 2007.

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘VALOR’ taken in the month of October 2007.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘VALOR’ taken in the month of October 2007.

FIG. 5 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘VALOR’ taken in the month of October 2007.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘VALOR’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new variety ‘VALOR’, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2007 growing season in Ventura County, California. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘VALOR’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County, California, during late January 2007 and planted approximately 6 months later in Ventura County, California. The approximate age of the observed plants is 3 to 4 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2004 through 2007 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows the Munsell Book of Colors, Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976).

The following tables 2-8 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘VALOR’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597).

TABLE 2 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘VALOR’ (US PP 15,597) Color of mature fruit 7.5R 3/8 to 4/10 7.5R 4/8 to 3/8 Red to dark red Red Color of internal flesh 7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 Red to dark red Red to dark red Color of fruit core 7.5R 4/10 to 4/12 7.5R 4/12 to 5/12 Red Red Length (cm) 4.3 4.7 Width (cm) 3.8 3.6 Ratio length/width 1.13 1.29 Slightly longer than broad Slightly longer than broad Calyx diameter (cm) 4.9 5.2 Average weight (gm) 23.6 20.7 Achene color 5Y 5/6 to 7.5R 3/8 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 Achenes per berry 406 364 Achene weight (mg) 0.48 0.53 Marketable yield (gm/plt) 566 457 Size Medium to large Medium Predominant shape Conical Conical to wedged Difference in shapes Slight to moderate Moderate between primary and secondary fruit Band without achenes Absent or very narrow Absent or very narrow Uneveness of surface Weak Medium to strong Eveness of color Even Even to slightly uneven Glossiness Medium to strong Medium to strong Insertion of achenes Level with to below the surface Above the surface Insertion of calyx In the basin In the basin to level Attitude of the calyx Spreading Spreading to reflexed Size of calyx in relation to Slightly larger Slightly larger fruit diameter Adherence of calyx Strong Weak Firmness of skin Strong Medium Firmness of flesh Firm Firm Distribution of red color Marginal and central Marginal and central of the flesh Hollow center expression Absent or very weak Strong to moderate Flavor Good Fair to good Soluble solids (% brix) 8.0 7.7 Time of first flowering Early to medium Early to medium Time of first harvesting Early to medium Early to medium Harvest period Late September to mid December Late September to mid December Type of bearing Everbearing Everbearing Keeping quality Very good Good

TABLE 3 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘VALOR’ (US PP 15,597) Height (cm) 22.2 26.4 Spread (cm) 35.1 35.8 Size Medium Medium to large Habit Globose Globose Density Medium Medium Vigor Medium Medium to strong

TABLE 4 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘VALOR’ (US PP 15,597) Average stolon number per plant 6.1 5.3 from the fruiting field Medium to few Few Anthocyanin coloration 7.5R 4/8 to 5/8 7.5R 4/6 to 5/6 Anthocyanin intensity Medium to weak Medium Diameter at bract (mm) 3.2 3.3 Medium to thick Medium to thick Pubescence Strong Strong

TABLE 5 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘VALOR’ (US PP 15,597) Foliage: Color of upper surface 7.5GY 2/4 to 3/4 7.5GY 3/4 to 4/4 Medium to dark green Light to medium green Color of underside 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 5FY 5/4 to 6/4 Light grey green Light grey green Shape in cross section Slightly concave to flat Slightly concave to flat Interveinal blistering Medium Medium to strong Glossiness Medium Medium to strong Number of leaflets Three Three Terminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 8.5 10.3 Width (cm) 8.6 8.8 Length/width ratio 0.98 1.18 Serrations/leaf 20.3 22.9 Size Medium Medium to large Shape of base Obtuse Acute Shape of teeth Obtuse Obtuse Petiole: Length (cm) 14.8 13.9 Diameter (mm) 4.1 4.3 Color of petiole 5GY 5/6 to 6/6 5GY 7/6 to 7/8 Yellow green Yellow green Petiolule length (mm) 14.3 15.3 Color of petiolule 5GY 5/6 to 6/6 5GY 7/6 to 7/8 Yellow green Yellow green Pubescence Sparse Mederate Attitude of hairs Slightly outward Slightly outward Stipule: Length (mm) 24.9 26.3 Width (mm) 11.6 9.2 Anthocyanin coloration Weak Weak 10RP 4/10 to 4/12 7.5RP 5/10 to 5/12 Red purple Red purple Color of stipule 2.5GY 4/4 to 4/6 2.5GY 4/6 to 5/6 Medium green Medium to light green

TABLE 6 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘VALOR’ (US PP 15,597) Length (cm) 20.5 27.1 Position relative to foliage Level with Level with Pubescence Medium to strong Medium Anthocyanin intensity Very light to none Light 5R 4/8 to 5/8 2.5R 5/6 to 6/6 Greyed red Greyed red Attitude at first pick Prostrate Prostrate

TABLE 7 ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘VALOR’ (US PP 15,597) Petal color N 9.5/90.0%R to 9.25/84.2%R N 9.5/90.0%R to 9.25/84.2%R White White Sepal color 7.5GY 4/4 to 3/4 7.5GY 4/4 to 3/4 Green Green Corolla diameter (mm) 32.5 33.6 Medium to large Medium to large Calyx diameter (mm) 40.9 34.1 Petal length (mm) 12.5 13.0 Petal width (mm) 12.7 13.8 Petal length/width ratio 0.99 0.95 Petals/flower 5.7 6.5 Sepal length (mm) 15.6 12.3 Sepal width (mm) 6.9 4.4 Sepal length/width ratio 2.25 2.78 Sepals/flower 11.7 12.3 Size of calyx relativee to Larger Same size to larger corolla Size of inner calyx Smaller Smaller relative to outer calyx Relative position of petals Touching to overlapping Overlapping

TABLE 8 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘VALOR’ (US PP 15,597) Two spotted spider mite Moderaltely susceptible Moderately sus- ceptible Lygus bug Susceptible Susceptible Flower thrips Moderately susceptible Moderately sus- ceptible Powdery mildew Susceptible Susceptible Botrytis fruit rot Moderately susceptible Moderately sus- ceptible Angular leaf spot Moderately susceptible Susceptible 

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘VALOR’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 